H06-1607. Bary, Woldemar A. (1887-1979). Papers, 1920-2013. 0.50 linear ft.
Scope and Contents
Included in this collection are articles, correspondence, and documents related to Sikorsky, both in original Russian and some translations; also included are photos and one photo album of Bary’s family and friends at Sikorsky, as well as the personal stories of Valentina and her sister-in-law, Tatiana, on their escape from Russia during the Revolution.
Dates
- 1920 - 2013
Biography
Woldemar A. Bary was born in 1887 and raised in Moscow, Russia, where his father, an American engineer, worked for the Tsar. After the outbreak of the Russian Revolution, the Bary family was involved in the White Army resistance, which tried to restore power to the emperor but was put down by the Bolsheviks. Consequently, Bary was forced to flee to the United States dressed as a woman (other parts of this collection detail the treacherous journey his relatives faced in escaping Russia). For many years, Bary worked with fellow Russian immigrant Igor Sikorsky as the vice-president of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. Bary was married first to a woman named Nina (of whom there is little information in this collection, though it is assumed that she died).
Later, he moved from New York to Pennsylvania, where he met and married his second wife, Valentina. They lived together with Bary’s sister until her and Bary’s death in 1979. Afterwards, Valentina lived with close family-friends, the DeYoungs, in Holland, Michigan, until her death in 2002.
Extent
0.50 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection contains the personal records of Woldemar A. Bary (1887-1979). The son of an American engineer, Bary was raised in Moscow, Russia. As a young man, he was involved in the White Army resistance during the Russian Revolution and eventually forced to flee to the United States. Bary worked for many years as the vice-president of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and was married twice. He was survived by his second wife, Valentina, who lived with close family-friends, the DeYoungs, in Holland, Michigan, until her death in 2002. Included in this collection are articles, correspondence, and documents related to Sikorsky, both in original Russian and some translations; also included are photos and one photo album of Bary’s family and friends at Sikorsky, as well as the personal stories of Valentina and her sister-in-law, Tatiana, on their escape from Russia during the Revolution. Detailed Collection Register available.
Provenance
Woldemar A. Bary
Photographs
155 images
Source
- De Young, Roger (Donor, Person)
- De Young, Janet (Donor, Person)
- Status
- Completed
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Joint Archives of Holland Repository
Theil Research Center
9 East 10th Street
Holland Michigan 49423 United States
616-395-7798
archives@hope.edu